Roses are such gorgeous, exquisite flowers that often the hand does not rise just to throw away the withered petals. In addition, they have valuable properties, are used in cosmetics and even be eaten. Both fresh and dry rose petals will be used. Try to make interior decorations, rose water or original, mouth-watering jam out of them.
Crafts from rose petals
Fresh rose petals are a delicate, albeit short-lived decoration. They can perfectly decorate the interior for a romantic date, family celebration or a friendly party. Prepare a spectacular transparent ball-shaped vase, fill it with clean water and float fresh colorful petals. Find low glasses with a thick bottom and make beautiful candlesticks: wrap them with natural material, fix the decoration with a satin ribbon to match. Pour water into these containers and lower the burning tablet candles on it.
If there are enough fresh petals, cut off the roughest parts of them and try to make an unusual lamp. Wipe the front side of a small round aquarium with acetone to degrease the glass surface, then grease with PVA glue. Moving from edge to bottom, glue circular rows of petals from top to bottom outside the aquarium, gently smoothing out wrinkles on them. Lay all plant elements in one direction. Apply a surface adhesive and let the fixture dry. You can install one or several LED lamps in a decorated aquarium.
For food or for cosmetic purposes, only the petals of an environmentally friendly plant can be used. Flowers, during the growing season of which pesticides and other chemicals were used, as well as purchased in stores, are suitable only for beauty.
Rose petals, dried between the pages of a heavy book, will be a wonderful element for applications made from natural materials. Use a cardboard base for the painting. Cover it with a suitable fabric (velvet, silk, linen) and lay out the conceived composition of plant elements: red, white, pink on a substrate. To prevent dry material from crumbling, gently grasp it with tweezers. If necessary, correct the shape of the petals with small scissors. Stick on the elements one at a time, applying a small amount of PVA glue from the inside of each one. Combine various materials at hand for a more effective applique. For example, make a bouquet of ribbons (stems, leaves), petals (flowers and buds), transparent beads (dew drops). When the glue on the finished composition dries, all that remains is to insert it into the frame under the glass.
Jam, rose water and petal liqueur
To make a delicate delicacy from rose petals, thoroughly rinse 1 kg of fresh raw materials in cold water and place in an enamel pot. Pour 1 kg of granulated sugar on top, pour in 2 cups of water and put the dishes on low heat. While stirring the brew, bring it to readiness. Before the end of the preparation of the delicacy, add freshly squeezed lemon juice from 2-3 fruits or 1 teaspoon of citric acid to it - then you get a beautiful red jam, it will not turn brown. Chill the finished rose petal delicacy quickly.
Fresh rose petals for jam and rose water should be harvested only in the morning in dry weather, immediately after the dew has melted. At noon, these plant elements contain 20-30% less essential oil.
To prepare rose water, place an empty glass or ceramic bowl on the bottom of a saucepan with water so that its edge is 2 cm above the liquid level. Pour clean rose petals into the water. Place the lid on the pot with the handle down. This item should be made of food grade metal, no plastic or wood parts. Bring the water to a boil, then make the smallest heat and keep the pan on the stove for 1, 5 hours. Steam will collect on the lid and hydrolat - rose water will drip from the handle into the bowl. Add ice to the pan from time to time and make sure that the main liquid in the pan does not completely boil away. Wash your face with chilled rose water, use it for the last rinse of your hair, add to baths.
An original liqueur with rich color and delicate aroma can be made from just 20 fresh red rose petals. To do this, dissolve granulated sugar (800 g) and citric acid (2 tablespoons) in filtered cool water (3 liters), then place the washed raw materials in the resulting solution. Insist the petals at room temperature for a month, then strain the liquid and mix with a bottle of highly refined vodka. An unusual alcoholic drink made from rose petals is ready.
